Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
In humans, what determines the sex of offspring, and why?
A
The sex of offspring is determined by the number of autosomes inherited from each parent.
B
The sex of offspring is determined by the type of sex chromosome carried by the sperm, because males produce both X and Y sperm while females produce only X eggs.
C
The sex of offspring is determined by environmental factors after fertilization, not by chromosomes.
D
The sex of offspring is determined by the type of sex chromosome carried by the egg, because females can produce both X and Y eggs.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that in humans, sex determination is based on sex chromosomes, not autosomes or environmental factors.
Recall that females have two X chromosomes (XX) and produce eggs that all carry an X chromosome.
Recall that males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY) and produce sperm that carry either an X or a Y chromosome.
Recognize that the sex of the offspring depends on which type of sperm fertilizes the egg: an X-carrying sperm results in a female (XX), and a Y-carrying sperm results in a male (XY).
Conclude that the determining factor is the type of sex chromosome carried by the sperm, because males produce both X and Y sperm, while females produce only X eggs.